Are humans still evolving? An expert anthropologist reveals the truth.
The belief that we’ve conquered nature and stopped evolving is widespread, but it’s simply not true. Let’s explore why.
Many of us think that our advanced civilization and technology have made us immune to the forces of evolution. After all, we’re different from other creatures, right? But here’s where it gets controversial: even though we’ve made incredible advancements, evolution hasn’t stopped. It’s still happening, and it’s shaping us in fascinating ways.
As an anthropologist, I study how humans adapt to different environments, and adaptation is a key part of evolution. Over time, we’ve developed traits that help us thrive in our unique environments, and these traits are passed down through generations.
Our hands, for example, allow us to use tools and manipulate objects with skill. Our ability to walk on two legs frees our hands for these tasks, and our large brains enable us to reason, create, and live in social groups. These traits have been crucial in the development of human culture, which includes our ideas, beliefs, and abilities to plan and think about the present and future.
While we’ve certainly changed our environment through culture and technology, evolution continues to shape us. Our environments, including the foods we eat and the diseases we encounter, still influence our genetic makeup.
Take the power of the sun’s rays, for instance. Those with pale skin are at risk of sunburn and skin cancer, while those with more melanin have protection against harmful UV rays. When ancient humans moved to cooler, cloudier places, dark skin was no longer needed, as it blocked the production of vitamin D, essential for bone growth.
Our diet is another example. Ten thousand years ago, our ancestors began domesticating animals for meat, and later, they learned to milk them. Most humans couldn’t digest milk without feeling ill, but a few had genes that allowed them to do so. Milk became an important food source, and those who could digest it had an advantage, passing on their genes. This is an example of cultural and biological co-evolution.
Similarly, some people, like the Inuit in Greenland, have genes that allow them to digest fats without heart disease risks. The Turkana people in Kenya have a gene that enables them to go without much water for long periods, a practice that would harm others due to kidney regulation.
Infectious diseases also play a role in our evolution. The bubonic plague in the 14th century killed a third of Europe’s population, but those with a specific gene had resistance. This gene gave them an advantage, and it spread through generations. More recently, COVID-19 swept the globe, and while vaccinations saved many, some had natural resistance based on their genes.
Evolution is an ongoing process, and as human beings, we’re constantly adapting to our changing environments. So, the next time someone asks if evolution is still happening, you can confidently say, “Yes, it is! And it’s an incredible journey we’re on.”